Population Geography A Reader

Illustrated with a wide range of case studies drawn from all parts of the world, POPULATION GEOGRAPHY clearly depicts the cause-and-effect links between demographic change and the socio-economic transformation of societies. Providing timely information in a clear and accessible style, the text is an ideal classroom text for instructors who are introducing their students to the topic of population geography.

This book studies the origins and development of population geography as a discipline. It explores the key concepts, tools and statistical and demographic techniques that are widely employed in the analysis of population. The chapters in this book: Provide a comprehensive geographical account of population attributes in the world, with a particular focus on India; Study the three major components of population change – fertility, mortality and migration – that have remained somewhat neglected in the study of human geography so far; Examine the salient social, demographic and economic characteristics of population, along with topics such as size, distribution and growth of population; Discuss major population theories, policies and population–development–environment interrelations, thus marking a significant departure from the traditional pattern-oriented approach. Well supplemented with figures, maps and tables, this key text will be an indispensable read for students, researchers and teachers of human geography, demography, anthropology, sociology, economics and population studies.

This text, dealing with particular themes in the field of human geography, provides a useful introduction to population geography. The book considers the two major themes of population growth and distribution and population migration and circulation. These themes are examined both generally and specifically through a series of case studies and exercises. The case studies are selected from developed regions of the world to provide the student with both a general knowledge of a broad field of study and a detailed knowledge of specific cases. The extensive bibliography includes both sources specifically referred to in the text and suggestions for further reading in the general field of study.

This compact and accessible text provides a comprehensive, issue-oriented introduction to population geography. First grounding students in the fundamentals, Bruce Newbold then explains the tools and techniques commonly used to describe and understand population concepts using real-world issues and events. Drawing on both U.S. and international cases, he explores such pressing concerns as HIV/AIDS, international migration, refugee movements, fertility, mortality, resource scarcity, and conflict. Every chapter includes both methods and focus sections to provide a more in-depth discussion of the ideas and concepts developed in the book. In addition, a wide array of maps, tables, and figures illustrate and enhance the cases. Newbold highlights the geographical perspective—with its ability to provide powerful insights and bridge disparate issues—by emphasizing the roles of space and place, location, regional differences, and diffusion. Arguing that an understanding of population is essential to prepare for the future, this cogent text will provide upper-division undergraduates with a thorough grasp of the field.